KS Chitra to appear in first Dubai concert since daughter's drowning

Indian playback singer KS Chitra is set to perform in Dubai next month, almost two years after her eight-year-old daughter drowned in a swimming pool at a private villa in the emirate.

Organisers of the event said the singer will make her first public appearance on January 24 for a three-hour concert alongside nine other performers at Dubai's Al Nasr Leisureland.

"Chitra came last month to Dubai for a private show," said Abdul Khalam, president of Dubai-based Indian Arts Society, a social organisation.

"This is her first public event."

In April last year the singer's daughter, Nandana, drowned in a pool at a friend's house in Emirates Hills, where the family was staying.

The singer, her husband and daughter were in Dubai to perform at a tribute concert, A R Rehman Special Hits, at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium.

The singer placed Nandana, who had special needs, in front of a television in the bedroom to watch cartoons, then took a shower. The girl let herself out through the bedroom door, which leads to the pool area, and fell into the water, according to family friends.

She was dead by the time she arrived at the Cedars Jebel Ali International Hospital.

Over 4,000 people are expected to attend the January concert, which will feature a 13-piece orchestra.

pkanan@thenational.ae